The Day the Darkness Turned to Light

This fall Hurricane Florence ripped through the East Coast. It was a monster storm, bringing massive destruction and leaving many homeless. One area particularly hit hard, was Pender, North Carolina. Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit this tiny town. The destruction I witnessed, two months after the storm, was unlike anything I have ever seen. Though this powerful storm had the strength to rip away homes and uproot lives, it did not have the power to destroy the human spirit. It was a great reminder to me that love will always overcome evil. Everywhere my eyes looked, I saw condemned houses and heaps of rubble that represented what used to be a “normal” life for the people of this community. My initial instinct was to think all hope was lost. But when I looked deeper, and watched people who had lost everything, come together to help one another, it blew my mind. And when I watched complete strangers work hand-in-hand, it warmed my heart. We began our day in one of many houses that had been completely destroyed. The angry flood waters swept through the home, exceeding the first story and destroying everything in its path. All of the belongings were waterlogged, and black mold crept up the walls, leaving no area unscathed. Of course there was no electricity, making it impossible to see. Though it seemed like a small, insignificant job, the flashlight holder was a vital part of the team. The scene reminded me of John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Even though the flashlight was small, it gave off enough light to allow the volunteers to keep working. The dreary, saturated walls crumbled as the group went to work tearing down the memories and secrets this house once held. Little by little, we chipped away at the walls. Often we think of walls as protection, but these walls were almost taunting, threatening to snuff out any sense of hope left in these people who have suffered so much. But just when it seemed impossible, one team member busted completely through, causing part of the wall to crumble and fall. Light flooded the room and applause broke out among the team. In John 8:12, Jesus tells us, “...I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This storm may have robbed the people of their belongings, and Satan may have tried to swoop in to discourage them, but when you have the light of Christ in your life, NOTHING can steal your hope and your joy. Sometimes it takes a major shakeup to wake us up and remind us that no matter what happens, God is still in control. Not only is He the light, but He loves us so much that sometimes He lets us be the light for others. I am forever changed by the love and resilience I saw in the people of Pender. What would happen if we all decided to shine God’s light in this dark world? I challenge you to give it a try!

I Love You More Than a Lawn Mower

Today is Valentine's Day. I have to tell you, in the Bray house, we do not celebrate Valentine's Day. I have no problem with people who do, it's just not our thing. Now that I am no longer in the classroom, I honestly didn't give any thought to it being Valentine's Day today. At least not until Troy reminded me. He left home at the crack of dawn this morning, so there was very little conversation between the two of us. About an hour after he left, I got a text that said, "I love you more than a lawn mower!" It was the funniest thing to me, because Troy manages a John Deere store, and we talk about lawn mowers a lot! Also, when we were first married, we had a big 'ol fight about a lawn mower, and I held a grudge (which was SO wrong) for a REALLY long time!! He affectionately calls me a lawn mower killer (which probably doesn't need any explanation.) So the fact that he told he me loved me more than a lawn mower was very touching to me at 6:00 this morning. And I'm pretty sure when he retires from selling lawn mowers, he'll probably write greeting cards for Hallmark!! Here is my point. We have holidays to commemorate certain events. Valentine's Day is to show love. Christmas is to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Easter is to celebrate our Savior's Resurrection. But what if we celebrated our Savior and His great love for us EVERY day? What if we celebrated love, and truly loved our neighbor EVERY day? I challenge you to make every day Valentine's Day. Tell those closest to you that you love them, but also show all those who cross your path the love of Christ. If we all shine God's light in this dark world, it really will make a difference. Let's show the world what it looks like to love them more than a lawn mower!

Stable Crew

The sign out in front of Mathews Chapel says "Are you part of the inn crowd or the stable crew?" When I take a moment to really ponder this question, I am amazed at the many different meanings of this question, and the play on words is uncanny. The world pushes us to desire to be a part of the "inn crowd." The "inn crowd" seems glamorous, fun, and appealing. But the "inn crowd" doesnt' have room for everyone. If we are not extremely careful and on guard, we find ourselves willing to compromise our beliefs and values just to be accepted by this "inn crowd." We live in a dark world, and so many things take our attention away from our true mission, which is glorifying God. Think about the original "stable crew." No one ever would have imagined that the King of Kings would have been born in a lowly stable, yet that is exactly how God chose to bring his Son into the world. When we think about the Christmas story, it's easy to say we want to be a part of the "stable crew." But what about the other days of the year? Being part of the "stable crew" requires service and sacrifice, but it's so worth it. 1 Peter 4:11 says, "If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." So during the Christmas season, and every other day of the year, let's strive to be a part of the "stable crew." And when we find ourselves getting wound up and a little stressed out because of the holiday busyness, a little dose of "stable" will go a long way!

Half Empty

I don't know about you, but I have always been the kind of girl who likes to know the best and worst case scenario for every situation. I'm pretty certain I get this trait from my dad. Mom gets on us all the time for it, saying we are always being negative and thinking of the worst. She says we are "the glass is half empty" kind of people. We always justify this best/worst case mentality by claiming it makes us prepared in every situation. If the best scenario happens, we can rejoice! But if the worst scenario happens, we will not be totally devastated, but instead we will be prepared to handle the situation. But if I am 100% honest with you, it would probably be way more accurate to say I am a worrier. I don't want to brag or anything, but I am a really GOOD worrier! I know this is not healthy, and it is something I constantly have to keep in check. I know when I worry about things, it says I am not fully trusting God in the situation, and I certainly don't want to be THAT girl! I do trust God, and I know His plans for me are good. God offers us advice on this situation. In multiple places in the bible. Matthew 6:25-36 is that whole passage about worry that ends, "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own."There's the one in Philippians 4:4-7 reminding us not to be anxious about anything. If you Google "What scripture talks about worry?" you will get many, many scriptures to address the topic. If you, too, are a worrier, it would be wise to Google and then pour over scriptures about worry. It will definitely encourage your heart, and who knows, it may even help you see the glass as half full. Here is a piece of good news, in case you are a "glass is half empty" thinker. I heard this quote in a Hallmark movie once, and I think it is very fitting: Somebody has to see the glass half empty, or else we'd run out of milk! Happy Wednesday, my friends. I hope your cup is mostly full, but in case it's not, turn your worry over to Jesus and allow Him to fill up your cup.

The Journey Toward Graduation

It's very difficult for me to put words to a page as I sit here with tears streaming down my face. In a few short hours, my sweet, beautiful Kathryn will be waking across the stage of her high school auditorium and closing this chapter of her life. What a strange mix of emotions graduation is for the mama. My other mama friends, who walked this road ahead of me, warned me about how difficult this day would be. It's not that I didn't believe them, but like child birth, it's not really something you can fully understand until you live it for yourself. At the start of Kathryn's senior year, I had this overwhelming realization this was my last chance to be the mama. I needed to be sure I had taught her everything she needed to know. I realize I will always be the mama and will continue to teach her things, but in a few weeks she will be living on her own. My role as the mama will look very different. So I prayed and asked God to help me be sure Troy and I had done all we could to prepare her to enter the world on her own. Although I really meant, "make all my teaching opportunities happy and amazing," God had a different plan in mind! Kathryn had some crazy things happen to her this year, and most of the world doesn't even know about them. None of the things she experienced were earth-shattering, but most were things no 17 year old should have on their plate. While it was heartbreaking to watch her deal with some of the things thrown at her, it was also very beautiful. You see, that is how God answered my prayer. There were a few life experiences Kathryn needed to have before she left home. So God, in His infinite wisdom, provided her with some difficulty. But in His great love for her, He also surrounded her with the very best people to support her, love her, and give her wisdom. Kathryn has been blessed the past 17 years with amazing friends, and amazing adult role models. To the family, friends, church family, and teachers who have poured into her life, I say "thank you," because she wouldn't be where she is today without each of you. To Kathryn Grace I say, "Congratulations!" I couldn't be more proud of you. You have always been determined and courageous. It has been a joy to watch you grow. Continue to pursue your dreams with your whole heart. Whenever you find yourself in a difficult situation, search out the people God has placed in your path, and walk humbly with God by your side. As Grammy used to tell you, "Your Mama is your very best friend!" So as you stand on that stage today and deliver your valedictorian speech, know I am sitting in the audience (maybe crying a smidge) cheering for you. Treasure the moments as you walk across the stage to receive your diploma, for that walk symbolizes walking away from your past and into your future. God has great things in store for you, and you are ready. Fly high my sweet girl!

Sorry, Wrong Number!

Would you ever call someone who had just done something that got on your nerves and just rip them apart? Probably not. Chances are, if you found yourself in an irritating situation, you may vent to someone you are close to before you actually confront the person who aggravated you. A good friend of mine recently told a story about receiving a phone call from a lady she knew. When she answered the phone, she could hear yelling on the other end of the line. It took a few minutes to realize what was happening, but eventually she realized the lady had called her accidentally. The lady on the other end of the line was yelling and saying really ugly things about my friend, clearly not aware my friend was listening on the other end. YIKES! How awkward! I don't know if the lady realized what she'd done and hung up, or if they just got disconnected, but either way, the damage was done. I was very bothered by this story. I found myself "accidentally" judging the woman for her actions. How wrong of her to be saying those things at all, much less into a phone that was relaying all that ugliness to my friend. But then God reminded me how often I had done the very same thing. Maybe I didn't accidentally call the person on the phone, or maybe I did, but either way, I often vent about other people and say things about them I shouldn't say. I'm sure most people are in the same boat as me, but they doesn't make it right. No one is perfect, and heaven knows living on this Earth with aggravating people is certainly a challenge. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." So to my friend I say, "I am sorry her words hurt you. I am sorry she was tearing you down when your heart was in the right place and you were doing the right thing." To myself I say, "Stop judging others, and guard your words. If you are saying something about someone you wouldn't say to their face, then you shouldn't be saying it at all." Think how different this world could be if we all decided to stop bad mouthing one another.

Lessons from a Coconut

Recently my parents went to Florida, and they brought back some coconuts. While we were visiting them Sunday, we decided to crack one open. Mom had read/studied up on how to crack a coconut open, and she was convinced it would be no problem. All I can say is, however much you pay for coconut ANYTHING at the grocery store, it's totally worth it. Two hammers, an ax, and an hour later, we finally had the coconut open. If you know my dad at all, you can imagine the experience was quite entertaining for all of us. Here's what I learned: 1. The coconut you always see in the grocery store isn't even the real deal. The coconut that falls off the tree has a REALLY tough outer shell. It takes MAJOR tools to bust that sucker open. Once you get inside, the coconut like you see in the grocery store is secured in that outer shell by a bunch of tough, stringy, grassy looking stuff. Once you get the actual coconut out, you still have to break open it's shell to get to the coconut meat. Who knew???!!! 2. Sometimes,no matter how many YouTube videos you watch, you still cannot be fully prepared for life! 3. Real coconuts are not nearly as delicious as a Mounds candy bar!!! I think God is a lot like a coconut. As He thought about his people and their needs, He knew life was going to be really hard and we would need a lot of help. John 14:16-17 says, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." I am amazed by the way God created coconuts so they have three layers of protection. I am also amazed at how God can be three in one: Father, Spirit, Son. I am thankful that just because I don't know everything about the way my God operates, and I cannot always see him, I can trust him because He protects me and loves me. I bet God thinks I am a lot like a coconut too. I bet He looks down at me and says "She's a tough nut to crack!"

Spaghetti with Love

The story I'm about to share is one of heartbreak, hope, and miracles. It started with some spaghetti noodles and ended with a community coming together. And the path along the way was sprinkled with a whole lot of love.  I'm choosing not to name the characters in the story because it should be the actions of these heroes we remember, not their names. This is a story about how a true community knows no boundaries, and how kindness always wins.

Several weeks ago we started planning a spaghetti dinner for the Zwiers family. We got to know and love this family when Derek was stationed in Yorktown and they were living in Mathews. This sweet family didn't just live here, they were a part of us.  They embraced our community and our community embraced them.  So when we heard of Derek's accident, we joined together to help them as best we could from far away.

Planning a big event can bring about much uncertainty. What if no one comes?  What if there isn't enough food?  What if it tastes bad? What if the power goes out while we are cooking?  These are all very real questions that may run through your brain at a time like this, all of which are ridiculous things to ponder. Over 100 people came, which turned out to be the perfect number because we had enough food with barely any left over.

Many of the people who came knew and loved the Zwiers. But many, many people who came were total strangers. They had never met the Zwiers, but they came because they were touched by how much this family meant to this community. There was the man who came and brought over 20 family members with him.  It was his birthday, and he told his family all he wanted was for them to support these people he didn't even know. Why would he do this? And then there was the lady who lives in another state. She didn't know the Zwiers family at all, but her husband was in the Coast Guard and they were touched by Derek's story. She obviously couldn't attend the dinner, but she wanted to know how she could make a donation. Why would she send money to total strangers?  Why?  Because the sense of community runs deep and  love knows no bounds. People are good at heart and love always wins.

I'd love to be able to tell you how much money was raised but that is impossible because even though the event is over, the money is still pouring in.  God isn't finished with his miracles yet!  The food suppliers gave crazy good discounts. The people who came and ate left generous donations above and  beyond the cost of their meal. Many who couldn't come made donations the next day and offered apologies for not being able to make it. Think about what I'm saying!  In a world that seems to have gone crazy, we are surrounded by people who are not thinking of themselves, but how to help others.

Can you see yourself in this story?  Maybe you worked tirelessly boiling noodles, cooking sauce, and hauling heavy pots all over the place.  Perhaps you offered to make a cake. Maybe you helped set up or serve food. You might have even showed up to lend a helping hand just because!  Maybe you stayed to help clean up, even when you didn't know the family at all. Of all the heroes I've mentioned here, let's not forget about the most important ones. Those are the ones who are praying for Derek, his family, and his care givers. Our God is a mighty God, and He is in the business of miracles. Thank you all for being a part of this story. I am very proud to know you and call you friend.

From One Princess to Another

For the past six weeks, I feel like a black cloud is following me around.  Some of the things have been Facebook worthy, and some have been kept just among my family. None of the things have been tragic or earth shattering, but it's certainly been enough to get a sister down. For a while, I accidentally allowed the storm clouds to rain on me, but then some friends swept in, encouraged my heart, and set my feet back on a positive path.

One of the best pieces of advice I've ever received is to look for the blessing in every situation. This concept is great in theory, but when you're in the trenches, sometimes it's hard to see the silver lining. But that's why God blesses us with friends. When I am feeling discouraged He always places someone in my path to offer a kind word or deed at exactly the perfect moment. My true friends always remind me to refocus and to thank God for my many blessings. Shifting my thoughts from my troubles to my blessings gives me the courage and energy to move forward.

It's easy to get caught up in the negativity surrounding us. The world would have us believe our situations can be hopeless. But we must always remember we have a Father in heaven who loves us and is always looking out for our best interest, even when life feels hard. The bible tells us in 1 John 3:1, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!..."   So if you are feeling a little overwhelmed, remember you are a child of the King. This makes you a princes, so straighten your crown, put a smile on your face, and move on to brighter days ahead!

Making the Most of the Lasts

When the alarm clock sounds tomorrow, the Bray family begins a series of "lasts." Today is Senior Year Eve. Tomorrow my oldest baby girl wakes up to begin her "last" first day of  high school. I realize she will have other first days of school, but I won't be there to take the pictures. There is no need to panic though, because we've had the opportunity to practice 12 other first days of school. After tomorrow's first, she will be a professional and ready to tackle all the other first days on her own.

The pressure is intense. I have one more year to impart as much knowledge on her as I can, and then I must let her fly. A wise friend recently told me parents shouldn't be sad in this season of life. Instead we should rejoice because our children have been in training all their lives and are now ready to go practice all we have taught them.  This year, as we go through these series of "lasts" together, we will seize opportunities and celebrate adventures. We will make memories and capture them on film and in our hearts.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, " 'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.' " So I will rest in this promise as I cheer from the sidelines while Kathryn makes the most of senior year. I will treasure these "last" childhood memories and I will be excited to see what God has in store for her. But in the meantime, if you see me at a school or church event wiping tears, I am not sad. I am soaking in memories so hard they are falling out of my eyes.

Throw Out a Life Jacket and Hang On

This last month of motherhood has been extremely difficult for me. It has brought unexpected challenges for not only me, but also my entire family. In our "tell all" society, where WAY too much information is available at our finger tips, the Bray family elected not to share our struggles with the world. Most of our closest friends aren't even aware of what this last month held for us.

I don't write this post for sympathy or to try to make you guess or gossip about horrible things happening to us. Really the things we went through this last month aren't even difficult when you put everything in perspective. I do, however, write this blog so we can remind each other we are all fighting battles most of the world doesn't realize. Maybe the grumpy cashier hasn't slept for weeks because of something heavy on her mind. Maybe your co-worker got some bad news, but was asked not to share it with anyone else, which is a heavy burden to bear alone. Maybe your neighbor is in a tough spot and handling life the best he can.  How come when we know someone is having a hard time we are supportive and understanding, but when we aren't aware, we judge them and label them as being ugly or grumpy?

As I reflect on the events of the past month, many images run through my mind. Immediately my brain fills with negative thoughts about how I wish I had been the strong mom who didn't break down in tears or snap at my family or those I love. But then God reminds me of this verse from Isaiah 43:2, which says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."  What incredible comfort to know that even when I feel like I'm drowning or on fire I am not stuck in the situation. God promises me these hard situations will pass, and I will emerge on the other side and be just fine.

Maybe instead of remembering myself as a raving lunitic for the past month  I should try to think about the times I nailed the situation and handled things like a champ. Because there have been some championship moments! And as the black cloud lifts and dissipates, maybe I should think of myself as the mama who walked through fire and didn't get burned. That's a pretty cool trick, don't you think?

Next time I encounter someone who seems out of sorts, hopefully instead of talking bad about them, I will pause and remember they may be in a life situation where they feel like they are drowning. Let's throw each other life jackets as we walk through the waters of life together.

Buy a Pack of Toilet Paper and Dump a Bucket of Iced Water on Your Head

Turn on the news or open social media and in a few seconds you'll be so discouraged you won't know what to do. Suicide rates are at an all-time high and "peaceful" protests are leaving people dead in the streets. Even the very ones who are supposed to be protecting us have become innocent targets. I don't want to live in a world full of hate and fear, but apparently I do. It seems the whole world has gone nuts.

Speaking of nuts, let me tell you a funny story with an amazing ending. It all started with a friendly competition between two adult Sunday School classes. None of the details are important, except to know we were collecting items for local food banks and shelters in our area. The competition was fierce. Three classmates from the winning class would dump a bucket of iced water on the teacher and two students from the losing class. And so for over a week, both of the classes went crazy buying items for those in need.

I have to admit, the friendly smack talk between the classes was a refreshing break from the nightly news and a great distraction from the madness of the world. Comments like, "Wednesday we go to battle" really meant, "I sure do hope we collect a ton of stuff for the local shelters." Finally the big night arrived and an official judge counted the items and announced the winner. The competition took an unexpected twist at the end, and things didn't go exactly as I planned!

But things did go exactly as God planned. While I was thawing out and laughing at all the fun we had, God was preparing to teach me a lesson. One of the shelters where the goods were delivered was down to their very last pack of toilet paper. I don't know how that strikes you, but it pulls my heart strings. I can't imagine being a mama on the run, trying to protect my children, and not being able to provide them with toilet paper. Toilet paper seems like such a small thing, and I guess it isn't news worthy.  But I can't help but wonder what our world would be like if the news was filled with stories about human beings loving and helping one another, instead of all the horrific stories they choose to share.

News channels usually don't choose to air good news, so it's our responsibility to take up their slack. The bible says in 1 John 1:5-7, "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the       darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."  We live in a dark world, and it gets darker by the day. If we are not careful, the darkness will surround us. Now, more than ever, we need to be the light for others around us.  Look for those who need help and strive to be a blessing to someone. If that means getting three buckets of iced water dumped on your head, so be it, because at the end of the day, we are all winners if we put our faith in God and love one another deeply.

Relationship Goals

People watching.  It's what you do on the beach. To the right we have The Screamers. Every so often one of them has a fit and just goes off the deep end yelling.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging them.  They had nine fairly small children with them.  It's not easy keeping small children safe and happy at the beach. I guess sometimes we all just lose it! Also to the right we have Mr Ugly Pants.  He's being rude to everyone around him. Maybe he's just having a bad day. To the left we have the Photogenic Family. They are happy enough,  and capturing every single moment on camera.

I am certain the people around us are judging our family as well. I don't know what they are saying,  and I don't really care. We are happy and enjoying ourselves.  But none of us can help but notice the old couple sitting by the water's edge. They must be near 90 and everyone around is pointing and smiling.  They sit side by side, staring offshore, gazing into the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. We can't hear what they're saying,  but you can tell by their body language they are very content.

As the day draws to a close and it's time to leave, they gather up their chairs and put them in a white cart with very huge, orange tires. Then they turn, both grab hold of the handle, and begin making the trek up the sand dune. Halfway up, they stop and rest together before lugging their stuff the rest of the way up the dune. I don't know how far they had to travel, but it didn't matter,  because they were taking the journey together.

I know I am blessed to have Troy as my husband. I know over the years, we have been like all the people we've seen on the beach this week. Sometimes we yell and are rude, and sometimes we're happy and take pictures.  Regardless, we are in this adventure together for life. When we are old, I know we will sit by the sea and talk about how great life has been and how much we love our kids and our family. And then when we're tired, we will help each other drag our junk up the sand dune and go home. Because at the end of the day, there's no where else I'd rather be.

Flipper

This morning we had the joy of observing bottlenose dolphins frolic in the Atlantic Ocean. These graceful creatures break the surface of the water in a gliding motion, and then dive back down again, totally disappearing in the ocean's abyss. Every once in a while, their whole body erupts from the ocean before disappearing again.

 Dolphins are very social creatures. They travel in pods anywhere from four to 40. They communicate underwater by making sounds,  but also by slapping their tails on top of the water.  I know all this thanks to my good friend Google, and from my experience of growing up on the water in Mathews, Va. What I would love to know, which Google can't tell me, is what they were saying to each other with the tail slap.

Human slaps often mean anger, but these dolphins were rambunctious and playful.  They would leap out of the water, and just before they dove in again,  they would slap their tail flat on the water's surface. The thud could be heard from the shoreline,  and water would shoot up and cascade down again. It was almost as if they were beckoning onlookers,  "Come play with us! The water is crisp and we're having a great day!"

It never really occurred to me to add "watch dolphins slap the water with their tails" to my bucket list,  but thankfully God thought it would be a good one for today, so He added it for me. I've seen dolphins millions of times, but the joy they bring never gets old. The smell of salt air, the sound of crashing waves, the feel of sand between the toes, the peaceful wind,  and the blazing sun makes Nags Head, NC a wonder. Though it didn't make one of the top seven natural wonders of the world,  it should have. Great job, God, in creating this small slice of heaven!

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. -Genesis 1:21

Off We Go, Into the Wild Blue Yonder!

As the plane taxied down the runway, the anxiety within me heightened. Behind me sat 28 middle schoolers, many who had never flown before. I wasn't sure what I would do if one of them started freaking out. The engines screamed as we began to lift into the air. As we zoomed toward the clouds  I glanced behind me to be sure everything was under control. That's when I noticed it. The sweet, child-like faith of the students.

They were scared, and they were freaking out, only not in the screaming, hysterical way I had imagined. Instead they had linked arms with the person beside them. Some had even stretched across the aisle to hold hands. No one made fun of those who were scared,  but instead they offered words of encouragement to one another.

Soon we broke through the clouds and into the great beyond. The pilot came on and asked everyone to remain seated and buckled because storms were raging below us. It's odd to think it can be wildly storming under the clouds, but perfectly sunny above them.

We would be wise to apply the lessons of flying to our lives.  We live in a world full of things that scare us. Sometimes it seems the whole world has gone nuts. Tragedies surround us, people are outraged,  and cruelty commonly flies out of people's mouths. What if, instead of joining in the chaos, we just fasten our seat belts,  hold hands with one another,  and reassure those we love everything is going to turn out alright. Today I challenge you. Don't be one who freaks out and participates in the violent storms. Instead be an umbrella for others and show them the sunlight just beyond the clouds.

A Fish Story

Have you ever wondered how in the world you got yourself into a particular situation? At times we've all wondered how and why we find ouselves in tough spots. Often we get caught up in the storms of life,  and we find ourselves in places we'd rather not be.

God used a man named Jonah to teach us to trust Him during difficult trials on our life. Through Jonah we learn to grow, even when our circumstances don't seem optimal. Jonah found himself in a situation that did not make him happy.  God gave Jonah direct orders to go into the city of Nineveh and preach.  Nineveh was a horribly wicked city, and Jonah just didn't want to go. So he hopped on a ship to run away.

In a nutshell, God got upset with Jonah and caused a violent storm. Jonah's shipmates got scared and threw him overboard. A big fish swallowed him and he lived in the belly of the fish for three days. What a disgusting turn of events!

I bet at one time or another, we've all run when we should have boldly accepted an assignment from God.  It says in Jonah 1:17, "Now God provided (emphasis mine) a huge fish to swallow Jonah..." When I hear the word "provided" I think solution. Provided means the matter is settled and everything turned out fine.  I'm sorry, but if I was in the belly of a fish, it would not be fine with me!

Here's where I went wrong.  I was focusing on the fish when I should have been focusing on the provision. I'm pretty certain I'm not going to get swallowed by a fish, but the chances of experiencing a storm in my life are definite. I need to remember no matter how high the waves or how strong the wind, God will provide just what I need to calm the storm in my life.

Take a minute to look back over your life and recall all God has done for you. Think about all the times He provided for you when you couldn't find a solution to your problems.  Hopefully you weren't in the actual belly of a fish, but I'm certain God placed you in the perfect spot to help you grow. Even if it sounds crazy, share your story. You never know how God may use your  words to bring healing and hope to another.  And that's a fish story worth telling!

Instead of Giving Up, Form a Plan, and Then Adapt!

I have a love/hate relationship with the sport of running.  I probably hate more things about it than I love,  but one thing I do love about it are the life lessons I learn,  especially in a race-type situation.  Today I ran the Chick-fil-A 10k,  and as always,  my goal was to cross the finish line without dying, and to run the whole time without stopping. Clearly I lived; it was the "run the whole time" part where I struggled a tiny bit.  Though I only reached part of my goal, my experience along the path made me the most successful!

The trail was a beautiful, windy path with a scenic view of ponds, lovely homes, and the river. Doesn't that sound tranquil? Well it wasn't!  That beautiful trail was also very hilly. Those "rolling hills" kicked my butt early on in the race.  I tried hard to focus on the beauty of my surroundings and to be thankful for the lovely weather. This plan worked in taking my mind off my troubles, but only for a while.  

Pretty soon the path  changed. We ran out of the beauty and into a place where the sun was beating down on us.  I caught a view of Jefferson Avenue,  and there is nothing beautiful about that! I also found myself dog-tired, very hot, and thirsty. I tried to shift my focus to the people around me. There were runners  of varying ages, and most didn't seem like they were as near death as I felt, so I decided to suck it up and keep running.  I truly believe 90% of running is mental anyway, so the "don't stop now plan" kept me pushing toward my goal for a bit longer. 

My next plan,  now about 2 mIles in, was to find someone running my pace and just stick with them. This took awhile because everyone around me was either too fast or too slow. Finally,  I spotted a girl who was running a bit faster than I was. I caught up to her and decided I could hang for a while.  We ran along in silence for a bit, but then we started chatting.  After a few minutes,  she said, "You don't recognize me, do you?" I was embarrassed to say I didn't. In my defense,  I was in a near death state state of mind, and I hadn't seen this girl in years.  It turns out, she grew up in Mathews! I think there were over 4,000 people at this event. What are the odds God would pair me up with a familiar face? 

We didn't talk a ton, because I couldn't hardly breathe,  but what an amazing time to be able to catch up with someone I probably haven't seen in 20 years.  We ran several miles together, but around mile four,  our paces varied and I found myself running my own race again.

By now, I was totally exhausted. Much of the last part of the race was uphill so I made the tough decision to walk. At first I was mad at myself for "quitting" but then I decided I wasn't a quiter, I was an adapter. I have never run hills, so I did what I needed to do to finish the race alive. I walked and ran mile five, praying the finish line would soon appear.

Another reason I love this sport is because runners are so kind. I can't tell you the number of total strangers who passed me offering encouraging words and trying to keep me running.  Right at the six mile mark, my friend caught up with me and said, "We've got .2 miles left. Let's finish this thing strong." And so we did!  I didn't die, my time was pretty good,  and God reminded me that when things are difficult,  I need to take my focus off myself,  search for a friend, and keep getting it. Today,  I ran the race marked out for me. It was tough, but was good. Do you want to know what I love best about running? The finish line. It's a beautiful sight!

The Waiting Game and How to Win

As I type this,  I am in a teeny, tiny doctor's office waiting room.  It's very hot in here, and there are no other people around me. I have to keep telling myself the walls aren't actually closing in on me, even though it feels like they might be. The T.V. is on, but the volume is so low I can't even hear it.  I am going to be here a while. I didn't bring anything to read, and there's really nothing to do except wait.

Can you tell I'm a terrible waiter? My brain is filled with thoughts about millions of things I could or should be doing. But instead I'm just sitting here doing nothing but waiting.  Google says the average person spends somewhere between 45 and 62 minutes a day waiting.  Oh the things I could accomplish at home if I had 62 uninterrupted minutes!

But waiting doesn't always look like sitting around doing nothing.  Sometimes waiting can be emotional or painful. It can also be exciting, if you're waiting for something good.  Waiting comes in all forms and fashions. Perhaps we are waiting for company to arrive, or someone who's sick to get well.  Maybe we're waiting for test results or waiting for a break. We could be waiting for someone to keep a promise or stop breaking our hearts.

No matter what we are waiting for, we have these words of encouragement from Psalm 33:20. "We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield." Do you hear the good news packed in that verse? Hope. Like I always say, "If ya ain't got hope,  ya ain't got nothin!" But if hope isn't enough,  the verse also says God is our help and our shield.  No matter what you're waiting for, isn't it comforting to think God is helping you?  And if the waiting seems to be more than you can bear, know the Shield will protect you while you wait. So take heart my friend, and trust God with whatever is making you wait. There just might be a blessing "waiting" on the other side!

A Walk to Remember: Here's to the MHS Class of 2016

Today the Mathews High School class of 2016 put on their caps and gowns and marched the halls of Lee-Jackson Elementary School and Thomas Hunter Middle School. To say it was a touching, amazing experience is a drastic understatement. But here's the thing. I got to see the entire scene unfold from multiple perspectives.  Let me explain.

I spent most of the day working at the high school.  I got to see the hustle and bustle of the seniors getting dressed up and snapping pictures with their friends. I got to see the smiles on their faces and hear the excitement in their voices as they prepared to board the school bus, most of them for their very last time.

Then I went to Lee-Jackson, and found a spot to watch the seniors march through the school.  The halls were lined with small children eagerly anticipating the arrival of the seniors. They clapped, cheered, and chanted "MHS" as they waited.  When the seniors finally arrived,  the students cheered wildly and high-fived the graduates.  There is just something so sweet about watching an event through the eyes of a child. But at the same time, I was watching the event unfold as a former teacher of many of the marching seniors. Memories flooded my mind, and I had to fight back tears as those babies walked past me, now all grown up and ready to make their way into the real world.  

Next I walked to the middle school.  The graduates were ahead of me, marching one step closer to their future. Pomp and Circumstance was blaring over the PA system, but over the music I could hear students talking about how "cool" such-and-such looked in the cap and gown. I also heard one student say, "That was awesome!" Though middle school kids view life very differently than the rest of the world, I couldn't agree more. It was an awesomely cool experience! 

As quickly as they came, they exited the building and headed back to the high school to finish out their day.  This was the first time this type of senior march was done in Mathews, and I know it won't be the last. 

My story doesn't end here. I had to go back to MHS to finish up some work, so I got to see the seniors after the march.  For some it wasn't a paricularly memorable time, because they didn't grow up in Mathews.  But for those who did, I think it was a day they'll never forget. To walk the halls of the place that made them who they are was bittersweet, and to see teachers who loved them was a sentimental moment.

In a few short weeks,  they will put on their caps and gowns for the very last time as they walk across the stage to get their diplomas. It is time for them to go. But no matter where life takes them,  they will always be a part of the Mathews High School Class of 2016. Congratulations guys! Now go do great things!

Shout Out to My MM Peeps!

I write this post tonight with my heart so full it could burst! About a year and a half ago,  God connected me with a group of people who touched my heart and changed my life forever.  When we first came together, some of us didn't even know each other. But it didn't take us long to realize we all loved Jesus, and we were all longing to be His hands and feet.  And so we became the Mission Minded Sunday School Class.

We have spent many hours doing life together. We laugh, we cry, we learn, and we love. Though they think I am their teacher,  they are the ones who teach me. Week after week, they come to Sunday School, and they show me what it means to be a good friend.  Their honest, open conversation teaches me to be vulnerable, because real friends don't judge one another.  None of us are perfect,  but we know God isn't finished with us yet.  So we choose to come together each week to learn about God and what he has in store for us.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together,  as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

If you do not have a church family, I strongly urge you to search for one, or come join ours.  God intends for us to be in fellowship with one another.  Sometimes that means feeding the homeless, or helping people in the community. Other times it means acting crazy and laughing your head off trying to take a group photo on a bounce house sliding board.  Either way, what a blessing my Sunday School class is to me!